Manfrotto MVH608AH, Instructions Manual

Page: 9 / 36

9
8
INTRODUCTION
Designed for ENG video cameras and interchangeable lens camcorders or DSLRs up to 8 kg
(17.6 lbs). Declared at 20°C and 55mm C.o.g.
For any uses other than those intended, in order for proper performance and safety of use to be
guaranteed, please contact your reseller or the manufacturer directly via the Contact us section on
manfrotto.com.
The product is intended for professional use.
KEY FEATURES
• Quick release sliding plate for balancing the camcorder
• 2 x 1/4” camera screws “S” and 2 x 3/8” camera screws “Z” for all camera types
• 3/8” female tripod attachment or for fixing the half ball adapter
• PAN and TILT drag adjustment
• Pan bar can be fitted either side
• Spirit level (with backlight) for accurate levelling
• Incredibly precise, continuous counterbalance system
TEMPERATURE RANGE
Working Temperatures between -20°C and +50°C.
Storage Temperatures between -20°C and +60°C.
SET UP &
Mounting the battery holder (fig. 1)
The head is equipped with a battery holder “X” and included battery “K” (for the spirit level), sold
unmounted from the head.
Remove the film from the battery. Mount the “battery holder” on the head by simply pushing it into
place onto the head.
Mounting the control lever (fig. 2)
The head is supplied complete with control lever “A” and serrated rosette “U”. Neither are assembled
on the product.
Once you have chosen the side on which you intend to use control lever “A”, first secure the rosette
“U” using the screws included in the packaging, then secure the control lever onto the serrated rosette
by tightening handle “D”.
The rosette “U” is serrated to allow rotation and positioning of the control lever at 10° intervals,
avoiding accidental displacement.
Ensure that knob “D” is firmly closed and that there is no play between rosette “U” and the
sleeve of drive bar “A” so that continuity of movement is not compromised during shooting.
MOUNTING THE HEAD
3A - Mount the head onto the photo/video tripod using 3/8” female thread “F”.
The top plate on Manfrotto tripods are equipped with screw/s “W” which clamp against the base of
the head to ensure effective and secure locking.
3B - Mounting the head on tripods with a 75mm diameter bowl:
- mount the half ball “Y” (optional) onto the head
- place the head into the tripod bowl so the male thread comes out below the bowl
- screw grip “H” (optional) onto the male thread until it is resting up against the bowl.
3C - Assemble the head on the slider using 3/8” female thread “F”.
Do not use screws that can enter into the base of the head more than 8 millimetres, as this may
compromise the counterbalance system’s performance or, in the worst cases, the product’s
safety.
GB GB
LEVELLING BUBBLE
Spirit level “C” (fig. 4A) has a backlight that can be lit by pressing button “B”:
- press button “B” for 1 second to light the spirit level for 10 seconds
- press button “B” for more than 1 second to light the spirit level for 60 seconds
NOTE: the light turns off automatically after 10 or 60 seconds. To switch it off manually, press button
“B” again.
The light also has an LED battery indicator: the red LED battery symbol next to button “B” will light
when the battery level drops.
To change the battery (fig. 4B):
- remove the battery holder “X” (with two fingers)
- remove the electronic card + battery from their support: to do this, pull back the rear catch slightly
while lifting the battery gently and removing it from its holder.
- insert the card + new battery (CR1220-3V) into the holder, slide it forward by pressing on the right
side of the card (as shown in the figure)
- push the card + new battery downwards so that the catch locks it into place
- insert the battery battery into the head
Avoid rubbing the bubble level: any electrostatic charge the bubble acquires may temporarily compromise
its accuracy.
FITTING THE QUICK RELEASE PLATE TO A CAMCORDER &
The quick release plate “L” (fig. 5) is supplied with:
- 2 x 1/4” camera screws “S”
- 2 x 3/8” camera screws “Z”
- anti-rotation pins “G” (not mounted)
Check the size of the attachment hole on your camcorder, and select the correct screw “Z” or “S” to
fit to the quick release plate (fig. 5).
To remove the screw not used proceed as follow (fig. 5)
- lightly press the rubber cap “GG” with your finger
- remove the screw not used
- reposition the cap to prevent the screw from being lost
If the camcorder also has an anti-rotation hole, insert the anti-rotation pin “G” into the plate as shown
in figure 5. Align the camera on the plate “L” ensuring the pin “G” is correctly inserted into the camera
before fastening the plate.
Fix the camcorder onto the plate “L” (fig. 6) by tightening screw “Z” or “S” into the threaded hole in the
camcorder. You can use a coin to tighten the screw, but WITHOUT APPLYING FORCE.
If the camcorder does not have an anti-rotation hole, align the camcorder lens with the arrow marked
“LENS” on the underside of camera plate “L” before tightening fully.
ATTACHING THE CAMCORDER TO THE HEAD
Before attaching the camcorder on the head, make sure the tripod is in a stable and secure position
and that the legs are locked. Bring the head to 0 ° as in figure 7A (horizontal plate) and lock the tilt
movement by means of the brake “Q”. Hold the camcorder and angle it so the plate “L” (fig. 7A) slots into
the head, with the long edge furthest from lever “M” dropping in first. Then push down so that the plate
drops in fully, and lever “M” clicks shut.
Hold the camera throughout this operation to prevent it from slipping backwards and forwards.
How to find the right balance point for your camcorder:
- level the head on the tripod using the spirit level “C” (fig. 4)
9
GB GB
- pull out the counterbalance lever “N” (fig. 7B)
- turn the counter-balance lever “N” anti-clockwise until it reaches the minimum counterbalance weight,
keeping the head in a level position
To be sure that the head is completely fluidity-free, proceed as follows :
- unlock the tilt brake “Q”
- turn the tilt drag knob “P” anti-clockwise all the way
- loosen the lever “M” (fig. 7B) and keep it pressed down as you slide the camcorder until you reach
the balance point in which the head remains level under the camcorder load.
- with the camcorder at the balance point, lock plate “L” in position by locking knob “M” as shown in
figure 7C: the arrow must remain inside the LOCK rectangle.
NOTE: once the correct position has been found, it can be memorized by taking note of plate “L”’s
position on the graded scale “R” (fig. 7C).
COUNTERBALANCING THE CAMERA ON THE HEAD
The head features a nitrogen piston counterbalance system for counterbalancing the weight of your
equipment. To set it up correctly, make sure that the piston is positioned in the appropriate payload position.
Please proceed as follows:
1. unlock the tilt brake “Q” (fig. 8A)
2. turn the tilt drag knob “P” anti-clockwise all the way to be sure that the head is completely
fluidity-free (fig. 8B)
3. pull out the counterbalance lever “N” (fig. 8B)
4. turn counter-balance lever “N” anti-clockwise until it reaches the minimum counterbalance weight
5. slightly turn counter-balance lever “N” clockwise keeping the head in a level position (fig 8D)
With one hand on the pan bar, tilt the camcorder forwards and backwards (fig. 8E):
• If the camera also moves forward when tilting forward, the head has not been properly counterbalanced.
To fix this, turn lever “N” clockwise again, keeping the head in a level position to increase piston
power.
• If the camera moves forward into a level position when tilting backwards, the piston is too powerful. To
fix this, turn lever “N” anticlockwise again, keeping the head in a level position to decrease piston
power.
If the camera stays locked into place for each tilt angle, counterbalance has been correctly set.
N.B. The “N” lever modifies the balanced load. Please note that it is a control system, not a lock. Once
the fluid movement’s limit switch positions AA (Maximum weight) and BB (Minimum weight) have
been reached (see figure 8C), do not force the lever’s rotation. Approximately 11 complete rotations
of counterbalance lever “N” are required to move from position “BB”, equivalent to a counterbalanced
load of 0 kg to position “AA”, equivalent to a balanced load of 8kg @55 c.o.g.
A higher number of rotations may compromise the counterbalance system’s performance or,
in the worst cases, the product’s safety.
REMOVING THE CAMCORDER FROM THE HEAD
Whenever the camcorder needs to be removed from the head, hold the camcorder securely
with one hand and press “M” to release the plate and camera with the other hand, while keeping
the “T” button pressed down.
The purpose of the “T” Security Button is to ensure that the video camera is not released accidentally.
USE
For correct use, the head must be adequately levelled.
The head features 360° pan and vertical tilt (+90°/-70°) which are controlled using the pan bar “A” (fig. 10).
- the pan movement can be locked using the knob “V” and has adjustable drag control: friction is
increased by turning gear “E”.
- the tilt movement can be locked using the knob “Q” and has adjustable drag control: friction is
increased by turning gear “P”.
NOTE: the lever angle “V” can be positioned as required without affecting the lock itself. Pull the lever
outwards, turn as required and release: it will be set to the new position.
ATTACHING ACCESSORIES
In order to connect accessories please do not use the serrated rosettes “U”. The head has a 3/8” female
thread “J” on both side with anti-rotation attachments “JM” which can be used to attach accessories
such as Manfrotto arms equipped with an anti-rotation system and anti-rotation attachments “JA” to
attach arms equipped with ARRI locating pins.
PLEASE NOTE: fitting additional accessories may require adjusting the head’s balance and counterbalance
settings. An excessive load imbalance could compromise the tripod’s stability and invalidate the quality
of the pan and tilt movements. In the worst cases, it could also compromise product safety.
USAGE ADVICE
Prior to using the product, especially after an extended period of disuse, it is advisable to restore
proper lubrication of the gas spring gaskets. This is done by rotating the head 3 times with the “A”
lever through the entire TILT travel range. Before use, please ensure that the central counterbalance
system area is free of any components that could affect the device’s correct operation (dust, sand, etc.).
Gas piston performance is affected by varying temperatures: to maintain correct counterbalance with
high temperature variations, the counterbalance knob must be appropriately adjusted.
STORAGE
The product is NOT SUBJECT TO specific provisions for the carriage of dangerous goods by road
(ADR), rail (RID), inland waterway (ADN), sea (IMDG) and air (ICAO/ IATA).
We recommend transporting the equipment disassembled from the support and mounted on the head.
When not in use, the product must be stored with its PAN & TILT brake and Drag disengaged with
the plate holder in a horizontal position. Storage temperatures must range between -20°C and +60°C.
In case of extended periods of disuse, remove the battery from the light source (fig.4B).
MAINTENANCE
Clean the product only with non-aggressive detergents and soft cloths. Periodically remove dust and
sand from the locking screws and sliding parts. Do not use sharp or metallic tools when carrying out
cleaning procedures. After a long period of disuse, if squeaking sounds are heard in the piston area, the
cylinder shaft should be lubricated with a PTFE spray (not included).
CAUTION
While the head is moving, do not put your hands or insert tools in the piston area (fig. 12).
Keep the product away from children. Contains detachable parts that could be swallowed.
PRECAUTIONS
• Do not tamper with, modify or disassemble the product or any of its parts to avoid damaging its
performance or safety.
• Do not use the product outside the defined scope.